The Portland, OR, venue beat out Rocky's Replay (Winter Park, FL) and Arcade Infinity (Rowland Heights, CA) by getting more votes from gamers who visited savethearcades.com and played an online videogame. Votes were configured in the form of points won by playing the game.

Ground Kontrol was founded in 1999 and was purchased by five players-turned-operators in 2003. The owners said they planned to use the $25,000 to expand the second-floor space and purchase more games.

Cadbury rolled out Stride gum in 2006 and launched Save the Arcades in August 2009; Arcade UFO (Austin, TX) won that first contest. Kraft added the Stride brand to its portfolio when it acquired Cadbury in January.